KUALA LUMPUR – PKR information chief Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin urged the government to uphold national unity in line with the Keluarga Malaysia (Malaysian Family) concept, amid concerns over racial sentiments being played up in the multicultural country.
In conjunction with Malaysia Day today, the Hang Tuah Jaya MP said he is upholding the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s decree on the Malaysian Family principle, which envisages a country that is prosperous, inclusive, and sustainable.
Stressing the national motto “Bersekutu bertambah mutu” (unity is strength), Shamsul said that Malaysia can only continue to excel and develop further with national cohesion and cooperation, instead of disunity.
He said the government must also apply the “lita’arafu” (symbiosis) concept, as espoused by the late Prof Siddiq Fadzil of Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (Usim) for a truly multiracial Malaysia.
“If diversity is managed and maintained wisely, it will result in productive reciprocity – mutual enrichment and empowerment,” Shamsul said, citing a lecture by Siddiq who passed away on August 31.
“Lita’arafu emphasises that getting to know each other is the best way to avoid misunderstandings and respect sensitivities. This is important to ensure that the people truly have strength in unity.”
Shamsul also suggested that the Higher Education Ministry consider forming a “Siddiq Fadzil Seat” at Usim to aid the country’s efforts to consolidate multiracial unity.
The MP’s statement came in light of his speech in Parliament yesterday, in which he told the Dewan Rakyat that it should take a new positive approach and reevaluate the country’s education agenda.
“We have to look into our administration to see whether we can guarantee the principles of justice for all communities in the country,” he said.
“It is time we move to emphasise the concept of compassion as mentioned in lita’arafu,” he said. – The Vibes, September 16, 2021
